2017 Panhandle Row Crop Short Course Presentations and Highlights

The annual Panhandle Row Crop Short Course was hosted by Jackson County Extension on Thursday, March 2, 2017. Extension Specialists from Florida, Georgia, and Alabama spoke to attendees providing production recommendations and various management tips for row crops farmers. Continuing education units (CEUs) were offered at the event for those with a restricted use pesticide license (Florida, Georgia and Alabama), as well as for Certified Crop Advisors. A total of 119 people turned our for this year’s event, that number is comprised of attendees from nine Florida counties, seven Georgia counties, and four Alabama counties. The event featured nine presentations and a trade show of 27 companies and organizations that provide products and services to the industry.

The focus of the Short Course was primarily on peanut and cotton production, but did overlap other crops regarding fertility, pest management and the market outlook. The speakers provided an update from the Florida Peanut Producers Association, information regarding peanut varieties, herbicides, replant decisions, pest management, market outlook, and early season fertility. Many of the people who attended asked about copies of the presentations. The following recap provides a short summary of what was discussed, as well as direct links to download PDF (printable) versions of the presentations given at the event.

Industry Update

Ken Barton, Executive Director of the Florida Peanut Producers Association (FPPA) provided an update on the current status of the peanut industry, along with the goals of the FPPA.

Managing Your Favorite Peanut Variety

Dr. Barry Tillman, UF/IFAS Peanut Breeder provided variety data from trials across several states (Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, and South Carolina) demonstrating trends in performance. Hypothetical production situations were used to illustrate management decisions based on factors such as planting date, disease pressure, and risk.

Generic Herbicides

Dr. Ramon Leon, UF/IFAS Weed Specialist discussed the use of generic herbicides. It is important to always be aware of the amount of active ingredient listed for a product and its formulation, and that the success or failure of a herbicide can be attributed to several causes.

Making Replant Decisions for Cotton and Peanut

Dr. David Wright, UF/IFAS Agronomist discussed how to determine if replanting a field is beneficial. How much of a stand is adequate and when is replanting necessary? These questions among others are outlined and answered regarding peanut and cotton.

2,4-D and Dicamba Update (as of 3/2/17)

Dr. Ramon Leon, UF/IFAS Weed Specialist discussed the new herbicide technologies available for use in 2017. Enlist Duo, Engenia, FeXapan, and XtendiMax all lack Florida registration as of March 2, 2017 (stay tuned for future updates). Therefore, growers will be required to follow both the EPA label and Florida Organ-Auxin Rule for these products. When the two have conflicting information (i.e. buffer distance between crops, wind speed, etc.), whichever is more restrictive should be used. He outlined how several labels stand as of 3/2/17, however it is IMPORTANT that this presentation not be substituted for the product labels. Always look up the most current label, as they are in a state of transition and are still changing.

Crop Disease Management

Dr. Nicholas Dufault, UF/IFAS Crop Pathologist focused his talk on the performance of peanut fungicides. It is important to know which pathogen you are treating, and confidently select an effective product for its control.

2017 Crop Market Outlook

Dr. Adam Rabinowitz, UGA Economist provided a detailed analysis of the crop commodity markets. He covered several commodities, their utilization within the market, inputs, and the potential use of the UGA Crop Comparison Tool. Understanding what factors drive the market and the projected revenues/costs associated with growing different crops will allow producers to make informed decisions this year.

Cotton Insect Management and Control for 2017

Dr. Ron Smith, Auburn Entomologist discussed the seasonal occurrence of pests that affect cotton and their control measures. With new and emerging pests each year, accurate pest identification prior to pesticide applications is key for attaining adequate insect control.

Early Season Fertility

Dr. Michael Mulvaney, UF/IFAS Cropping Systems Specialist elaborated on early season fertility in corn, cotton, and peanut. Recognizing the nutritional need of a crop, and being able to identify symptoms of deficiency are key in maintaining a healthy field.

Sponsors and Trade Show Exhibitors

These 27 companies and organizations that provide products and services to crop farmers in the region took part in the Trade Show.

Upcoming Events

There are a number of upcoming crop educational events that are taking place largely in the Florida Panhandle. Watch the newsletter for promotional materials regarding these events, or call the Extension office for the listed county for more information.